Bigger and bolder than ever, Garlic Fest set to return

January 30, 2013|DAVID DIPINO dddipino@tribune.com

Garlic Fest is returning to Delray Beach in February, and the event's 14th incarnation promises to be every bit as flavorful as its predecessors.

Event organizer Nancy Stewart-Franczak said this year's festival will feature more garlic than ever before. One vendor alone is preparing to have 300 pounds of garlic shipped in from Christopher Ranch Garlic in Gilroy, Calif.

"There's going to be tons and tons of garlic," Stewart-Franczak said. "Every dish served at the festival will have garlic in it."

Garlic Fest will be take place Feb. 8 to 10 at Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Avenue. Gates will open at 4 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Since its inception, Garlic Fest has raised $390,000 for neighborhood charities. Last year, 11 organizations logged 550 volunteer hours. Volunteer ambassadors will be stationed at the festival's entrances this year to greet visitors.

Garlic Chef Stadium will expand east onto Northeast Second Avenue, shutting down the main Pineapple Grove Arts District thoroughfare from East Atlantic Avenue to Northeast First Street. Sarah Vallely, assistant event coordinator for Festival Management Group, said organizers needed to expand the venue onto Northeast Second Avenue due to the jam-packed stadium schedule. The stadium will open at 7 p.m. Feb. 8 with a demonstration by Christopher Ranch.

The next day, the stadium will play host to the Garlic Chef Competition – a cooking showdown between chef Omar Montoya of The Office, 201 E. Atlantic Ave., and chef Bruce Feingold of DaDa, 52 N. Swinton Ave.

Later that day, "Top Chef Texas" finalist Lindsay Autry of the Sundy House will offer a cooking demonstration, followed by round two of the Garlic Chef Competition between chefs Erick Miranda of Vic & Angelo's, 290 E. Atlantic Ave., and Blake Malatesta of 50 Ocean, 50 S. Ocean Blvd.

Highlighting the festival's third and final day will be an appearance by the Banyan Creek Drumline and rounds three and four of the Garlic Chef Competition. The semifinal winner will take on Garlic Fest defending champion Chuck Gittleman of Karma Sushi and Steakbar, 346 Plaza Real in Boca Raton.

A dozen bands will appear on the main stage at Garlic Fest, including Lifehouse at 8:30 p.m. Feb. 8 and Pepper at 9 p.m. Feb. 9.

In addition, local photographer Georgia Handy will be running the Garlic Kissing Booth and taking Valentine's Day photos.

"She's going to have garlic hanging in the kissing booth like mistletoe," Stewart-Franczak said.

For more information, visit DBGarlicFest.com, call 561-279-0907 or search for Delray Beach Garlic Fest on Facebook.